Trouser and skirt hanger

ABSTRACT

A clothes hanger adapted to hold trousers, skirts, and the like, preferably molded from a plastic material. An elongate, rigid support bar is provided with a suspension hook adapted to extend from its upper surface intermediate its length so as to hang in horizontal position from a clothes rack. A pair of elongate clamping bars have one set of ends flexibly attached to an end of the support bar for hinge action, and extend along the length of the support bar on opposite lateral sides thereof. Hinge action is achieved by reason of the flexibility of the material forming an outwardly curved portion of the clamping bars at the point of attachment. The opposite ends of the clamping bars and the support bar have latching means for latching the clamping bars in clamping position relative to the support bar so as to hold the men&#39;&#39;s trousers or other items securely between the clamping bars and the support bar. The clamping bars can have a slight outward bow from approximately midlength to the free ends of the bars for achieving a firmer clamping action on the trousers when the bars are latched to the support bar.

I United States Patent 1111 3, 03,491

[72] Inventor Wiltord A. Weight FORElGN PATENTS 2333 Circle Lake 795,813 /1958 England 223 96 34108 1,385,234 11/1964 France 223/96 [21] Appl. No. 878,058 I I '22] Filed No 19 1969 Primary ExammerJordan Franklin Pammed SepL 7 l971 Assistant Examiner-George H. Krizmanich Attorney-Mallinckrodt & Mallinckrodt 54] TROUSER AND SKRT HANGER A13STRACT: clothes hanger adapted to hold trousers, 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figi 5141115, and the 11lte, preferably molded trom a plastlc mater al. An elongate, r1g1d support bar is provided wlth a suspenslon [1.8. Ci adapted to extend from it u er urfa e inte m di t 1 l Cl 3 51/14 length so as to hang in horizontal position from a clothes rack. Field of Search 223/95, 91, A pailf elongate clamping bars have one Set f ends fl ibl U DM, 31 T, 81 65 attached to an end of the support bar for hinge action, and extend along the length of the sup rt bar on o osite lateral [56] References cued sides thereof. Hinge action is achifved Iby reas ri of the flexi- UNITED STATES PATENTS bility of the material forming an outwardly curved portion of 541,293 6/1895 Smith 223/96 the clamping bars at the point of attachment. The opposite 617,130 1 1899 Skinner 223/96 ends of the clamping bars and the support bar have latching 1,638,844 8/1927 Gibson 223/91 means for latching the clamping bars in clamping position 2,392,080 1/ 1946 Baldanza et al. 223/92 relative to the support bar so as to hold the mens trousers or 2,394,879 2/1946 Snook 223/96 other items securely between the clamping bars and the sup- 2,48l,432 9/1949 Mattausch 223/91 port bar. The clamping bars can have a slight outward bow 2,914,229 1 1/1959 Merriman et a1. 223/96 from approximately midlength to the free ends of the bars for 3,343,733 9/1967 Schmednecht..... 223/95 achieving a firmer clamping action on the trousers when the 3,435,999 4/1969 Mantel] 223/91 bars are latched to the support bar.

PATENTED SEP "TIQTI m my INVENTOR. WILFORD A. WEIGHT AT ORN EYSI TIIOIJSEIR AND SIIIIIT IIANGEII BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field This invention relates to clothes hangers, more particularly to hangers for trouser, skirts, and the like.

2. State of the Art A large variety of clothes hangers is available to the public and include hangers specifically designed for suspending trousers and skirts. The trouser hangers presently available on the market tend to be heavy and difficult to manipulate when inserting the trousers into the hanger. Moreover, many hangers create undesirable wrinkles and creases in the trousers and skirts suspended therefrom.

3. Objective It was an objective in developing this invention to provide a lightweight, inexpensive and durable hanger, which would be relatively simple to use and would not wrinkle the items of wearing apparel suspended therefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The hanger of the invention is particularly adapted to hold mens trousers, womens skirts and the like from the cuff or waistband, and is preferably molded from a plastic material, although a combination wood and metal hanger is also contemplated. The hanger has a rigid elongate support bar with a pair of elongate clamping bars extending along the length of the support bar on opposite lateral sides thereof. One set of ends of the clamping bars is flexibly attached to one end of the support bar with the attached end of each clamping bar preferably forming an outwardly curved segment at the point of attachment. The outwardly curbed configuration also provides space for the bunching of fabric if necessary, for example, with wide skirts. Sufficient space should be provided between the clamping bars and the support bar to permit items of clothing to be suspended between the bars. Mens trousers are conveniently hung from the cuffs and womens skirts can be suspended from the waistband. The unattached end of each support bar has latching means on either side for holding the two clamping bars in a clamping position relative to the support bar when the ends of the clamping bars are inserted therein. The support bar is provided with a suspension hook disposed along its upper surface intermediate its length for suspending the hanger from a closet rod so that the support and clamping bars are in substantially horizontal position.

In a preferred embodiment, the support bar and two clamping bars are molded as a single unit from plastic material, and the clamping bars have a slight outward bow away from the support bar beginning at approximately the center of the clamping bars and extending to the free ends thereof. This configuration provides a wider space between the free ends of the clamping bars and the support bar for easier insertion of the trousers into the space therefor. The hook is preferably formed as a separate item and locked into position within the support bar, with the open end of the hook facing the end of the support bar which is attached to the clamping bars.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING An embodiment of apparatus constituting the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out this invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the hanger, showing the slight outward bow in the clamping bars with the bars in the open position;

FIG. 2, an end elevation of the hanger showing a pair of trousers suspended from cuffs between one clamping bar and the support bar, with the other bar in the open position;

FIG. 3, a fragmentary longitudinal vertical section taken along the line 3-3 of HG. I, showing the detachable hook in elevationrrnounted in the support bar; and

FIG. 4, a transverse vertical section taken along the line 4- 4i of FIG. I, illustrating the details of the mounted hook.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT As illustrated in FIG. I, the plastic embodiment of the hanger III has an elongate support bar II with a suspension hook I2 attached in the center thereof and extending vertically above the bar II. A pair of clamping bars I3, 14!- extend laterally along the length of the central bar II on opposite sides thereof. The two bars I3, I4 are flexibly attached to the support bar II at one end I5 of the support bar II to form a hinging means for the clamping bars I3, I4. Each clamping bar I3, M forms an outwardly curving section I6, I7 at the point of attachment I5 with the support bar II to provide storage space for excess fabric of the garment clamped between the bars, e.g., a skirt having a long waistband. The curved portions I6, I7 also provide greater resiliency in the clamping bars I3, I4 and minimize the propensity of the clamping bars I3, I I to break away form the support bar II at the point of attachment I5. This feature permits greater use and longer life for the hanger than would otherwise be possible with a conventional attachment.

At the other end of the support bar II a crosspiece 18 having latching receptacles 19, 20 is attached to the support bar II. The receptacles I9, 20 serve to receive and hold the clamping bars I3, I4 in clamping relation with the support bar II when the ends of the clamping bars I3, I4 are inserted therein. It is advantageous for the clamping bars I3, I I to have small notches 21, 22 located on the lower surfaces of the ends thereof, which serve as guides for the insertion of the ends of the clamping bars I3, I4 into the crosspiece receptacles I9 and 20. Additional features of the preferred embodirnent include the longitudinal extension of the ends of the clamping bars I3, I I beyond the crosspiece receptacles I9, 20, and the beveling of the lateral upper ends I90, 20a, of the crosspiece I8. The extension of the clamping bars I3, I4 provides convenient means to grasp the bars when inserting them into the receptacles; and the beveled crosspiece ends I9a, 20a permit easy insertion of the bars by simply squeezing the bars laterally toward the support bar so that the bars slide laterally over the beveled edges 19a, Zha.

Between the clamping bars I3, I I and the support bar II, sufficient space 23, 24 extending longitudinally along the length of the bars II, I3, I I, should be provided for inserting items of wearing apparel. The support bars I3, II can be placed immediately adjacent the support bar II leaving very little space 23, 2 between the clamping bars I3, I4 and the support bar II if desired, since the clamping bars are sufficiently resilient to permit some horizontal displacement by nonbulky apparel.

It has been found advantageous to provide the free end of the clamping bars I3, I I with a slight outward bow away from the support bar II. The outward bow results in larger spaces 25, 26 near the free ends of the clamping bars I3, I4, serving a dual function. The larger spaces 25, 26 afford easier insertion of the wearing apparel into receptacles 23, 24, and the slight bow at the midpoints 2'7, 28 of the clamping bars I3, I4 exerts a tighter clamping pressure upon garments located in spaces 23, 24, when the ends of the clamping bars I3, I I are inserted into the receptacles I9, 20. The outward bow at the midpoints 27, 23 of the plastic clamping bars is more easily retained over a period of continued use if a slightly increased thickness of plastic is used in the clamping bar I3, I4, along its outer lateral side in the area of the how 27, 28.

In FIG. 2, the right clamping bar I3 is positioned in the receptacle III. Trousers are clamped between the clamping bar I3 and the support bar II and are suspended by the cuffs thereof to prevent wrinkling. The left clamping bar I4 is in the open position preparatory to receiving an article of wearing apparel. At least two pair of trousers or other clothing articles can be suspended by the hanger as shown.

The suspension hook 12 need not be an integral part of the support bar 11. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the hook 12 can be formed separately and then attached to the support bar 11 through an aperture 29 in the upper surface of the bar 11. The hook 12 has flanges 30, 31 which support overlying portions 32, 33 of the upper surface of the support bar ll, and thereby support the entire hanger 10. For reduction in weight as well as increased strength, the support bars 13, 14 can be constructed as U-shaped members having hollow interiors 34, 35 and flat upper surfaces. The support bar 11 can also be constructed with a hollow center 36 to facilitate insertion of the hook 12 into position through the aperture 29, as shown in FIG. 4. To prevent accidental removal of the hook 12, the interior walls of the hollow center 36 have flanges 37, 38 which clamp around the bottom of the hook 12, thereby anchoring it in place and providing additional strength to the hanger.

Although the hanger should find its principal use as a support means for trousers or skirts, it is apparent that other items of wearing apparel can be suspended from the hanger provided they can be placed between the clamping bars and the support bar.

THe configuration of the clamping bars shown in the accompanying drawings includes a flat upper surface with rightangled sides. The flat upper surface aids in retaining the trousers in the hanger by permitting the cuffs to engage and rest upon the broad upper surfaces of the clamping and central bars as the trousers hang below the hanger.

The outwardly curved portion of the clamping bars which forms the hinging connection with the support bar gives the clamping bars increased resiliency at the primary points of stress. As the clamping bars are opened and closed to receive and release items of wearing apparel, significant stress is applied at the resilient hinge with the support bar. The clamping bars must be capable of repeated opening and closing without losing their resiliency and without cracking or breaking. A right-angled hinging joint would accumulate the major portion of the stress, leading to a high probability of cracking and severing at the joint. By using the semicircular configuration as shown, the stress is distributed more equally throughout the circumference of the semicircle.

The hanger is so designed that the support bar and two clamping bars can be formed or molded as one piece. It is also possible to form the component parts of the hanger as individual pieces and then assemble them into the completed hanger, so long as the clamping bars retain the necessary resiliency and flexibility to function as described herein. For example, the support bar can be constructed of wood with the clamping bars being made of metal, such as metal wire or the like.

I claim:

1. A clothes hanger, comprising in combination:

a rigid elongate support bar;

a pair of elongate clamping bars extending along the length of said support bar at opposite lateral sides thereof respectively one set of ends of the clamping bars adjacent one end of said support bar forming a resilient attachment at said one end, said resilient attachment having outwardly curved portions with respect to said one end; latching means at the opposite free ends of said support bar and said clamping bars for latching the clamping bars in clamping position relative to the support bar; and

a suspension hook extending upwardly from said support bar and disposed intermediate the length thereof.

2. A clothes hanger as described in claim 1, wherein said latching means comprises a latching crosspiece having notches formed into the upper surface near each end thereof adapted to receive the free ends of the clamping barsv 3. A clothes hanger as described in claim 2, wherein the free end of each clamping bar has a notch formed into the lower surface thereof adapted to fit into the corresponding notch in the latching crosspiece.

4. A clothes hanger as described in claim 1, wherein each clamping bar forms an outward lateral bow extending from approximately the midpoint of the clamping bars to the free ends thereof.

5. A clothes hanger as described in claim 1, wherein the suspension hook is detachably mounted on the support bar.

6. A clothes hanger as described in claim 1, wherein the suspension hook is positioned with its opening directed toward the attached end of the support bar.

7. A clothes hanger as described in claim 1, wherein the hanger is molded of a plastic material.

8. A clothes hanger as described in claim 7, wherein the support and clamping bars are formed as an integral unit.

9. A clothes hanger as described in claim 7, wherein the clamping bar and the support bar have a flat upper surface.

10. A clothes hanger as described in claim 1, having the support bar constructed of wood and the clamping bars of flexible metal. 

1. A clothes hanger, comprising in combination: a rigid elongate support bar; a pair of elongate clamping bars extending along the length of said support bar at opposite lateral sides thereof respectively one set of ends of the clamping bars adjacent one end of said support bar forming a resilient attachment at said one end, said resilient attachment having outwardly curved portions with respect to said one end; latching means at the opposite free ends of said support bar and said clamping bars for latching the clamping bars in clamping position relative to the support bar; and a suspension hook extending upwardly from said support bar and disposed intermediate the length thereof.
 2. A clothes hanger as described in claim 1, wherein said latching means comprises a latching crosspiece having notches formed into the upper surface near each end thereof adapted to receive the free ends of the clamping bars.
 3. A clothes hanger as described in claim 2, wherein the free end of each clamping bar has a notch formed into the lower surface thereof adapted to fit into the corresponding notch in the latching crosspiece.
 4. A clothes hanger as described in claim 1, wherein each clamping bar forms an outward lateral bow extending from approximately the midpoint of the clamping bars to the free ends thereof.
 5. A clothes hanger as described in claim 1, wherein the suspension hook is detachably mounted on the support bar.
 6. A clothes hanger as described in claim 1, wherein the suspension hook is positioned with its opening directed toward the attached end of the support bar.
 7. A clothes hanger as described in claim 1, wherein the hanger is molded of a plastic material.
 8. A clothes hanger as described in claim 7, wherein the support and clamping bars are formed as an integral unit.
 9. A clothes hanger as described in claim 7, wherein the clamping bar and the support bar have a flat upper surface.
 10. A clothes hanger as described in claim 1, having the support bar constructed of wood and the clamping bars of flexible metal. 